Housed in one of the city’s most glamorous buildings, a 1930s gothic beauty, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street dazzles from the moment you step under its grand stone archways and push open the heavy double doors of the Bourke Street entrance (another entrance is accessible through the mural-splashed Little Queen Street). The ground floor restaurant, Luci, in particular, is all soaring ceilings, Italianate columns and monochrome stylings, making it one of the grandest entryways of any hotel in Melbourne. Most of the rooms are part of a modern, 16-storey extension, a pleasing blend of old and new.
The rooms
The 244 rooms and suites are unassuming with their stylings: a blend of soothing greys and blues, with well-appointed bathrooms and city views. For guests who would prefer to fully immerse themselves in the building’s heritage, book the King Master Suite, with its original wooden panelling and decorative ceilings.
Food & drink
Breakfast is served buffet-style in Luci, along with a full à la carte menu including eggs Benedict, waffles and brekky bowls. The restaurant is also open for light lunches and dinners. In the evenings, the broodingly cool speakeasy The Douglas Club, opens for cocktails and snacks from 4pm. The ‘Brave Orchard’ is the pick of the cocktails, a blend of thistle-infused Dark Matter rum, apple, honey, mint and a low purr of Tabasco to bring it all together.
The service
Whatever the hour, the front desk is always staffed by an efficient and friendly team who are ready to help with any questions or concerns.
Ideal for: Leisure and business travellers who appreciate a blend of heritage charm and modern polish
Why we love it:
- The Location. The best bits of Melbourne are right on the hotel’s doorstep, including the restaurants of Hardware Lane and Chinatown, and arguably the city’s best coffee spot: Patricia’s Coffee Brewers. Whatever isn’t within walking distance is easily reached via tram; there’s a stop right outside the door.
- The Lounge. The private lounge – known as The Queen Adelaide Lounge – is accessible to guests staying in upper room tiers, and Hilton Honors Diamond members. The space is divided into three sections: a carpeted lounge area splashed with poppy prints, a tiled sitting space and an area for food and drinks. It’s open all day and serves drinks and canapés from 5pm each day.
- The Sip Society. No ordinary happy hour, The Douglas Club’s ‘Sip Society’ is available daily for a full three hours from 4pm. Cocktails – including whisky sours, martinis and mojitos – are just $16, along with snack pairings like oysters, truffle fries and tacos.
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